Early this year, we published this preview of the U.K.’s new banknotes featuring a portrait of King Charles III. The new banknotes went into circulation right on time, on June 5, 2024.
When King Charles III prepared to take the throne following the death of Queen Elisabeth, the Bank of England faced the major task of redesigning the country’s notes, replacing the old currency featuring the Queen with banknotes carrying the portrait of King Charles. The bank recently announced that the new King Charles banknotes will be put into circulation on June 5, 2024.
Four denominations have front side in a new design
All four denominations of the pound banknotes (GBP 5, 10, 20, 50) have been redesigned. The face of each denomination will depict King Charles III. He is the second monarch, and the first King, to be featured on the Bank of England banknotes. The reverse side of each note remains unchanged and bear the following characters:
£5 – Winston Churchill
£10 – Jane Austen
£20 – JMW Turner
£50 – Alan Turing
New 5 Pound GBP Note
Security features remain unchanged
The new notes bear the same security features as the old notes that feature Queen Elisabeth, making it easy for consumers to check the familiar features on the notes. The two key security features (on each denomination) are a transparent window and a holographic strip (Kinegram Colors® foil strip). In the see-through window, the portrait of Queen Elisabeth has been replaced by the portrait of King Charles III.
This portrait is visible from both sides of the note.
New 10 pound GBP note
New 20 pound GBP note
Polymer banknotes with portrait of the Queen remain legal tender
After the King Charles banknotes enter circulation in June, currency featuring the late HM Queen Elizabeth II will still be legal tender. The Bank of England emphasizes that the new currency will be printed only to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes or to replace worn bills in order “to minimise the environmental and financial impact of this change.” According to the bank, notes featuring HM Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III will therefore co-circulate.
New 50 pound GBP note
Sources:
Bank of England
Banknote Industry News
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